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ましょう (mashou) Meaning Japanese Grammar - Let's Do!

Author Anna Baffa Volpe for article 'ましょう (mashou) Meaning Japanese Grammar - Let's Do!'

Anna Baffa Volpe

The suffix ましょう (mashou) is added to the verb base and creates the polite volitional form in Japanese.

It can be translated as Let's do it! or Shall we?.

ましょう is one of the suffixes added to the auxiliary verb ます and creates the polite form or ます form.

In this post we learn more about meaning of ましょう, how it is formed, and when ましょう is used through real example sentences.


How ましょう is formed

In the case of Ichidan verbs we have the structure:

Ichidan Verb without る+ましょう
食べる
食べ
食べ
食べましょう
(ひる)ごはんを

Let's have lunch!

With the Godan verbs we have the form:

Godan Verb in B2 or Base ending in い+ましょう
行く
行きましょう
()かったら、私達 (わたしたち)一緒 (いっしょ)

If you'd like, let's go toghether!

How and when to use ましょう

ましょう is one of the conjugations of the auxiliary verb ます.

It is commonly used to suggest or exhort the other person to do something together.

We express through this form:

  • Let's do toghether!
  • Come on, let's do this!

インド(りょう)()をトライしましょう!

Let's try Indian food!

ましょうか to give help and willingness to do something

ましょう combined with the interrogative particle is used when offering help and willingness to do something for the other person.

(こん)()あなたの()どもの(せい)()をしましょう。

I will look after your child tonight.

What I want to express in the sentence is: Don't worry, I'll take care of the baby!

あなたに(なに)()むものをあげましょうか。

Shall I give you something to read?

Again, we have an offer, a kindness from the subject towards the other person and not a shared action.

In this sentence, we find the volitional form and the meaning is: Would you like me to give you something to read?

ましょうか to ask for advice

ましょうか is also used in cases where we are not sure about something and ask for advice and confirmation.

この()(しょ)(やす)いですから()いましょうか。

This dictionary is cheap, shall we buy it?

ましょう as polite imperative

ましょう is also used in first person to exhort oneself to do something or to invite the other person to perform an action.

(わたし)()(ごと)(かん)(せい)するよう()(りょく)しましょう。

I shall endeavour to complete the work.

The sentence has an exhortative meaning: Come on, let's get the job done!

もし明日(あした)(あめ)()ったら、(いえ)にいましょう。

If it rains tomorrow, let's stay home!

Let's go together! Let's pass away together! Let's live together!
(いっ)(しょ)に: together

(いっ)(しょ)()きましょう。(いっ)(しょ)()きましょう。(いっ)(しょ)()きましょう。

Let's go together! Let's pass away together! Let's live together!

Examples of ましょう

いつか、そこでコーヒーを()みましょう。

Let's have coffee there someday!

できるだけ(はや)()(かい)(かれ)()いましょう。

Let's meet him at the earliest opportunity!

できるだけ is a widely used expression in the Japanese language; it means as far as possible, as much as possible.

すぐにその(けん)について調(しら)べてみましょう。

Let's look into the matter immediately!

In the sentence we find the form in temiru which is translated trying doing something, try or experiment an action.

Let's make soup and drinks!
(つく)りましょう: Let's make!

スープとドリンクを(つく)りましょう。

Let's make soup and drinks!